Will Sutton: Someone in Jefferson Parish didn't vote. Now chance will decide an election.

The power of one vote in Louisiana makes a difference once again.

In this case, the difference is because someone in Jefferson Parish didn't vote.

Along with Saturday's presidential preference primaries, the Democratic and Republican party faithful and a few other interested voters cast ballots. Overall, across the state, voter turnout was low, likely because former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have already won enough Republican and Democratic delegates, respectively, that only an unexpected development could stop them from claiming their parties' nominations this summer.

There were some important local elections, including communities electing a district attorney, a mayor and council members. 

It also was a big day for those who care deeply about how their chosen political parties operate. Some candidates ran unopposed while others competed to represent their areas at the grassroots level as members of their parties' parish executive committees and state central committees.

In Jefferson Parish, a pair of well-known Democrats battled for votes among the few citizens who cast ballots in the race for a seat on the Democratic State Central Committee (DSCC) from District 87B.

Neither man won.

The race ended in a tie.

Jefferson Parish School board member Derrick Shepherd and state Rep. Rodney Lyons, of Harvey, both want the DSCC's District 87B seat, but each received 757 votes, or 43.43%.

Either candidate can ask for a recount. If neither does, or if a recount still ends in a tie, the winner will be determined by chance when the DSCC meets in April — that is, by drawing lots.

Chance is not the best way to choose elected officials at any level, party or otherwise.

Caddo Parish in northwest Louisiana elected a new sheriff Saturday, but only after a previous election resulted in a one-vote margin that was contested and, ultimately, overturned. A new election was called on March 23.

Too often, people say their vote doesn't matter. 

They're wrong. It does matter.

Nearly everyone knows the name Thomas Jefferson. But not everyone knows he almost didn't become president in 1800. There was a tie vote in the Electoral College — yes, the Electoral College has been around that long — and Jefferson became president only after the House of Representatives chose him ... by one vote.

Something similar happened in 1824, when there was another Electoral College tie. Andrew Jackson won the popular presidential vote, but he didn't become President Jackson just yet. John Quincy Adams beat him in the House of Representatives ... by one vote.

Imagine if that were to happen this fall. 

Many of us can name the U.S. presidents who have been impeached because there have been so few. In fact, there have been only three.

We know Trump was impeached twice. President Bill Clinton also was impeached. And President Andrew Johnson was the first to be impeached, back in 1868.

None were convicted, though it was close for Johnson. The U.S. Senate failed to muster the two-thirds majority to convict him ... by one vote.

Looking back again at Saturday's election, Caddo Parish finally has a sheriff after the legal battle over a one-vote margin. Voters this time gave Henry Whitehorn Sr. a margin of more than 4,200 votes — after his one-vote lead was overturned by the courts.

Meanwhile, Jefferson Parish Democrats will have a party official chosen by chance because one more Lyons or Shepherd family member, friend, colleague or supporter didn't vote.

Elections matter.

Every vote matters.

I hope you'll vote next time there's an opportunity.

Email Will Sutton at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @willsutton.